SPRINGDALE, Ark. -- The Northwest Arkansas Naturals beat the Springfield Cardinals, 3-2, Sunday night at Arvest Ballpark.
After Springfield’s Kolten Wong started the game with a leadoff home run, Naturals centerfielder Yem Prades answered right back in the bottom of the frame with a round-tripper of his own, tying the game at one apiece.
The Cardinals got a walk and a double to start the second, but Naturals starter Mike Montgomery got Vance Albitz to ground into a 6-4-3 double play. However, Chris Swauger scored on the play, giving Springfield a 2-1 lead.
Northwest Arkansas waited an inning to respond, and did so in the third. Brian Fletcher led off and reached on an error, then advanced to third on a throwing error. Kevin Kouzmanoff flied out to center, allowing Fletcher to tag and score the tying run.
The game stayed 2-2 until the sixth, when Prades came through again. A single and a throwing error put runners on first and third for Prades, who singled up the middle, scoring Julio Rodriguez with what proved to be the game-winning run.
Montgomery gets the win for going seven innings, scattering six hits and striking out three.
The series wraps up tomorrow night, with first pitched scheduled for 7:00 p.m.